Moscow hopes US to recognize unpromising nature of sanctions against other countries

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. Moscow hopes Washington will recognize the unpromising character of pressure on other countries, and not only on Cuba, through sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry says in a commentary in wake of shifts in relations between the U.S. and Cuba. "Recognition of the fruitlessness of decades-long attempts to isolate Cuba on the part of the U.S. President is quite emblematic," the commentary says. "It only remains to be hoped that Washington will recognize the unpromising nature of similar pressures on other countries." The Russian Foreign Ministry says that the decisions announced by the United States and Cuba along with steps aimed to return the bilateral dialogue back to normal are in the interests of both countries and of international security. “Washington’s withdrawal of all groundless allegations that Havana backs up terrorism, restoration of diplomatic ties and lifting of some restrictions that have barred U.S. citizens from visiting the island, along with an exchange of convicted persons that has taken place are long overdue measures,” the commentary says. The Russian diplomats point out that they have repeatedly called on the U.S. to embark on this course “leaving behind last century’s ideological prejudices.” “We state with satisfaction that lifting restrictions for bank transfers goes in line with the resolution on the ‘Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,’ which the UN General Assembly has been adopting each year for many years with Russia’s active support,” the document reads. “We expect that a complete removal of the U.S. commercial embargo that has been in force against the island since 1961 will follow,” the Russian Foreign Ministry says. Read more